Chapter 2158: 2157: The Groom Selection Begins, Murong Jiankong

Capítulo 2158: Chapter 2157: The Groom Selection Begins, Murong Jiankong

“Greetings to the City Lord, Steward Zhou.”

Sikong Lian waved his hand and asked, “Is Young Master Xu still inside?”

“He’s been inside all along,” the guard replied.

“Since I went in, he hasn’t come out again.”

“Go inside and inform him that the City Lord wishes to see him,” Steward Zhou instructed.

The guard dared not hesitate and swiftly ran into the courtyard.

A moment later, the guard emerged first, followed closely by Xu Zimei strolling out leisurely.

Only to see Sikong Lian with hands behind his back, sizing up Xu Zimei.

As Sikong Lian scrutinized Xu Zimei, Xu Zimei looked back lazily, having just woken up.

“Are you the husband my daughter chose herself?” Sikong Lian asked directly, without wasting any words.

“When did you two meet?”

“If I say it was love at first sight, would the City Lord believe me?” Xu Zimei chuckled.

“You better think carefully before answering me,” Sikong Lian said lightly.

“The City Lord should be asking Sikong Qing. I can’t say much; she knows better than I do,” Xu Zimei replied.

“You’re not afraid of me,” Sikong Lian squinted slightly.

Xu Zimei’s attitude and responses seemed to disregard him entirely.

Just as Steward Zhou had said, this person was too composed.

Is he not afraid of death?

“Why should I fear you? Is falling in love supposed to be life-threatening?” Xu Zimei laughed.

Sikong Lian frowned slightly.

He seemed to be pondering, as Xu Zimei gave him a very peculiar impression.

Leaving Sikong Lian somewhat puzzled.

But he did not waste any more words, instead saying, “You can marry Qing, but there is one condition.”

“In River Sun City, I am a regional overlord. My word once spoken cannot be taken back.”

“Now, all of River Sun City and even surrounding cities know I’m holding a groom selection.”

“If nothing happens and I just cancel the groom selection, that wouldn’t be appropriate.”

“The groom selection will continue, and if you wish to marry Qing, you must take first place.”

“If you cannot, don’t blame me for breaking you two apart.”

“In all worldly affairs, cultivation is the essence,” Xu Zimei replied.

“In some things, the process is more important than the outcome.”

At this moment, a guard suddenly rushed over, flustered.

“City Lord, someone has arrived!”

“Who is it?” Sikong Lian frowned and asked.

The guard glanced at Xu Zimei, then at Sikong Lian, cautiously saying, “It’s Murong Jiankong from Baori Sect.”

“Lord Murong?” Sikong Lian’s expression changed.

“What is he coming here now for?”

“Steward Zhou, you chat with him for a bit; I’ll go and have a look.”

Sikong Lian hurriedly walked outside.

Meanwhile, Steward Zhou entertained Xu Zimei, briefly explaining the groom selection process.

Anyone could substantially join this groom selection.

As long as they were present in River Sun City.

However, the groom selection had two assessments.

One requirement was virginity.

Which meant being unmarried and unwed—it sounded simple, but this one threshold was bound to stop ninety percent of people.

The second barrier is the ability to cultivate an ice attribute cultivation technique.

It sounds easy, doesn’t it?

But it still prevents ninety-nine percent of people.

Because this is the Blazing Flame Realm.

A world of the Fire Tribe.

People here loathe water and ice.

Any powers opposing flames are unwelcome in this world.

As for those proactively cultivating ice attribute techniques, they are as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.

Because under the ten suns of the Blazing Flame Realm, cultivating ice attributes is almost impossible.

Steward Zhou considered this a heads-up for Xu Zimei.

Like having exam questions leaked beforehand.

“What’s Murong Jiankong’s background?” Xu Zimei inquired.

He seemed less interested in the assessment.

“From Baori Sect,” Steward Zhou didn’t elaborate much, but mentioning Baori Sect was enough.

Baori Sect is a renowned power in the Blazing Flame Realm, and River Sun City is under its dominion.

Murong Jiankong holds high status even within Baori Sect, let alone here in River Sun City.

…

After explaining, Steward Zhou departed.

Since then, Xu Zimei hasn’t seen Sikong Qing.

Actually, he could tell at a glance that Sikong Qing’s condition was unusual.

As part of the Fire Tribe, Sikong Qing was not friendly with flames, instead quite repelled by them.

Her body suffered an inversion of Yin and Yang, entering an atypical state.

Although Xu Zimei hadn’t examined her closely, he knew this state was dangerous.

It seemed that this groom selection’s true purpose was to heal Sikong Qing’s illness, rather than merely selecting a husband.

Xu Zimei wasn’t sure what method Sikong Lian planned to use, but that didn’t matter anymore.

…

The groom selection is set for tomorrow.

Tonight, River Sun City is bustling, filled with lights and colors, drawing throngs of people.

No one disturbed Xu Zimei, until the next morning when guards came specifically to call him.

The general idea was that the groom selection was starting soon, and Xu Zimei would have no special privileges, urging him to arrive for the assessment promptly.

Upon leaving the City Lord Mansion, although no one seemed to accompany him openly.

Xu Zimei could still sense a few people monitoring him covertly.

He strolled down the street with grandeur.

Encountering a packed crowd ahead.

Yet as Xu Zimei moved, a peculiar force around him automatically pushed everyone aside.

He needed to do nothing, and others would be forced to the side.

Some witnessing this saw Xu Zimei as overbearing.

Directly sneering, they struck a palm toward Xu Zimei.

With a “boom”.

Xu Zimei remained impervious while the attacker was directly flung away.

This shifted the expressions of some, seeing Xu Zimei as extraordinary.

As he walked, occasionally someone would attempt to assault him.

But none could approach him, as they all were repelled by the force surrounding Xu Zimei.

In this manner, Xu Zimei effortlessly arrived at the examination platform.

Prior to the assessment, the City Lord Mansion had already disclosed the first requirement—virginity—to be assessed.

Momentarily, many felt despair.

Yet some held onto the hope of slipping through.

Unfortunately, the City Lord Mansion had prepared methods to verify virginity.

Anyone found pretending was directly beaten up.

Despite such stringent demands, participants queued up long enough to nearly encircle River Sun City.

Upon arriving, Xu Zimei directly cut in line.

The City Lord Mansion’s people said nothing.

Those cut in line could only swallow their wrath.

Because Xu Zimei’s formidable strength was witnessed by all.

City Lord Sikong Lian sat at the foremost position.

On his left was Steward Zhou, and on his right, someone Xu Zimei hadn’t met before.

Presumably, it was Murong Jiankong.