I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, So I’ll Max Out My Defense

After the third head of the family intervened, the various clans within Aolai Country surprisingly maintained a tacit understanding, with not a single one daring to make an unusual peep.

Clan leaders and prodigies quietly and low-key entered the city, stirring not the slightest ripple, all dutifully waiting for the arrival of the grand competition in the arena.

People found it hard to breathe, the atmosphere being too oppressive. Even ordinary citizens could sense that the situation was not simple; a storm was brewing.

Inside a chamber in the Punishment Hall, Li Xiaobai was sorting through the System’s marketplace items.

A few senior brothers and sisters each left for the places they believed would best enhance their strength to engage in arduous cultivation.

In the past few days, he had thrown all unneeded resources into the Hellfire, hoping for its breakthrough. However, despite his desires, no matter how many resources he fed into it, the Hellfire remained unchanged, without a hint of improvement, still stagnating at 9.9 kilometers.

Nevertheless, this completely put an end to Li Xiaobai’s hopes. What the Hellfire now required was not a quantitative accumulation but a qualitative increase; ordinary items imbued with rich Spiritual Power could no longer affect the Hellfire in the slightest.

Perhaps the next step would be to devour Immortal Spirit Qi?

He checked the System attribute value panel.

[Host: Li Xiaobai.]

[Defensive power: Half-step Human Immortal body (eight million six hundred thousand / ten million) (Immortal Spirit Qi: to be obtained) can advance.]

[Attribute Points: zero.]

[…]

After leaving the Linglong Pagoda, he had always been engaged in a battle of wits with the third family head and hadn’t found the opportunity to farm Attribute Points. He had only increased his defensive power by a hundred thousand points.

The grand competition in the arena was drawing near. When the major families planned their rebellion, it would be an excellent opportunity to farm Attribute Points, one he definitely could not miss!

Li Xiaobai calculated in his heart: by now, he should already have over a hundred million Spirit Stones at his disposal. His mounts included Godzilla and Gundam, his Divine Artifact was the Sea-Calming Divine Needle, and his ammunition for healing wounds was inexhaustible.

Against someone like the third family head, a Half-step Human Immortal Realm powerhouse, he should have enough power for a good fight.

“Creak.”

The door was pushed open, and the Great Elder walked in slowly.

“Young Master Li, the annual grand competition of Aolai Country is about to begin. We from the Punishment Hall must go to the arena’s vicinity to maintain order, to protect the competing disciples from injury, and cannot stay in the Punishment Hall. I would like to invite the young master to accompany us to the arena, what do you think?”

“Hmm, you have worked hard, Great Elder. With so many responsibilities daily, there has not even been time to notify me about the masked men since the third family head suppressed the matter. Now, with the grand competition imminent and public affairs busy, the fact that you still remember me is truly flattering,” Li Xiaobai said, looking at the Great Elder while speaking in a tone that was both mocking and not.

This old man was also opportunistic, seeking his help when troubled and showering him with flattery. But once the matter was suppressed by the third family head, he acted as if nothing had happened, completely indifferent to him.

His calculating nature could not be more apparent.

“Cough cough, the grand competition in the arena is no small matter. Young Master Li is a prodigy from overseas, and naturally, I would not forget you. Why not join us to witness the prowess of the disciples from Aolai Country?” the Great Elder said, his face flashing a moment of embarrassment, which he quickly concealed, continuing with a smile.

“That might be good. Most cultivators of Aolai Country have a narrow perspective. I too would like to open their eyes to reality sooner, letting the world know what a true genius is,” Li Xiaobai nodded and said indifferently.

Great Elder: …

“Please, young master.”

In the center of the city, it was overcrowded.

Unlike the raucous noise of previous years, this time the cultivators were very conscious, standing in neat and orderly queues, watching the many disciples who were about to take the stage for the competition.

These families had exceptionally keen noses, sensing the storm that was about to come even though nothing ridiculous had happened again in Aolai Country by picking up on the smallest clues.

This tournament had many families intending to stay behind closed doors, yet none had the courage to do so, and each waited with sad faces, looking around for the appearance of the upper echelons.

Li Xiaobai followed the Great Elder, weaving through the crowd.

The Great Elder looked at him strangely, “Could it be that Young Master Li also wishes to participate in the arena tournament?”

“Of course, to exchange skills with the various clans of Aolai Country is indeed my wish,” Li Xiaobai said cheerfully.

“Young Master Li has a clear view. Our country’s prodigies are numerous; to cross hands with them would be an honor for you,” Situ Guixiong stated from within the crowd, a faint smile on his lips. Fearless today, he was about to rewrite the history of Aolai Country by becoming the number one among the younger generation!

“An honor might be an overstatement, today I am here to teach you how to be proper people. Only by getting out of the well will you be able to see a broader sky. Young Master Situ does have some talent, don’t confine yourself with a narrow mind.” Li Xiaobai waved his hand and said with a light smile.

“It seems Young Master Li is very confident?” asked Situ Guixiong, his eyes narrowing, revealing a glint of cold light.

Li Xiaobai said casually, “Don’t be frog at the bottom of the well when you are young. Later, keep your eyes wide open and watch how I handle things on the stage.”

The Great Elder was speechless in his heart, making a quick exit out of the crowd, for this young man was still as provocative as ever, causing disturbances wherever he went. It was better to leave early as a sign of respect and to avoid getting embroiled in unnecessary disputes.

“Heh, there are always some who are ignorant of their own limitations and like to seek attention. Is the competition of Aolai Country something a mere overseas cultivator can interfere with?”

“Indeed, you may have some ability, but the arena is not like the steps of the Linglong Pagoda. Here, what matters are combat awareness and skills, and a solid foundation alone will not ensure victory.”

“None of the companions who came with you dares to take the stage. You better not embarrass yourself here.”

Hearing Li Xiaobai’s words, a group of family disciples glared fiercely at the opposition with faces full of anger. It must be noted that not long ago, it was this very person who caused an uproar in the city and pushed the Situ Household to the brink of a crisis. Naturally, they were not about to give him any pleasant looks.

When thinking back on what had happened inside the Linglong Pagoda, the cultivators grew even angrier, and imagining that the unfamiliar cultivator who had suddenly appeared might have been Li Xiaobai in disguise, they wished they could tear him to pieces immediately.

“What are you talking about? Young Master Li’s strength is there for everyone to see; I think you are clearly just scared,” Beichen Shixi said with a sullen face from the crowd.

“So sour, so sour, I can smell a strong stench of sourness from these major family disciples!”

“All reincarnations of bitter lemons, let’s stay away from them lest we get contaminated,” Dongfang Mingyue said with a frown, waving her hand in front of her nose with a look of disgust.

“In the arena competition, we must fairly determine who is superior. Whether it is a cultivator from Aolai Country or an overseas cultivator, there is nothing to fear. This is the attitude that a major family should have. The way you fawn over Young Master Situ is disgraceful to the honor of all clans!”