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

Chapter 214: 215 The Conference on the Way Begins

Translator: 549690339

“My lord, please go slowly!”

The guards looked at him with respectful expressions. Although they had only been in contact for a few minutes, they felt that the young master before them was someone who deserved respect.

The other geniuses, seeing them, would only treat them as servants to boss around, never considering their feelings like this lord did.

Li Xiaobai entered Wendao Peak, and even the steps inside the mountain were operated by a Formation.

Once stepped upon, one did not need to walk. The steps would automatically move upward, carrying people with them, which was a very humanized design, somewhat similar to an elevator.

The people in this world have very active minds, to be able to invent such steps; what a massive leap of imagination.

“Hehe, boy, these steps are quite interesting. We should install one at Misty Peak as well,” Ji Wuqing said as he hopped around on the steps, looking at them with curiosity.

“No problem, we’ll set one up when we get back.”

Li Xiaobai said, aware that the vast stock of items in the marketplace, although not having these Formation-based stairs, included elevators that operated on the basis of Spirit Stones, and acquiring one would be no issue.

The downside to such luxury items was that they continuously consumed Spirit Stones when in use, but for the current Li Xiaobai, that was not a big deal.

To speak without modesty, as long as he was not purchasing Divine Artifacts, it was hard to run out of Spirit Stones.

If considering buying a Divine Artifact, that’s a different story. The price of Divine Artifacts was exorbitant, and one could only buy usage times instead of obtaining permanent ownership. Using one even once could instantly bankrupt someone, so it wasn’t something he was considering for the moment.

The stairs led straight to the summit. Li Xiaobai walked slowly forward. The top of the mountain was a very flat expanse of rock, with a fighting ring at the center, surrounded by neatly arranged tea tables and chairs. At this moment, the summit was bustling with people, as cultivators had already taken their seats and were conversing with one another.

Upon seeing Li Xiaobai ascend, everyone fell silent, watching him. Most of them were seeing Li Xiaobai for the first time.

The commotion he had stirred up in the Immortal Spirit Daily had already turned him into a celebrity; they all wanted to see what he looked like.

“Young Master Li has arrived, right on time. Your presence truly graces our summit,” Zhen Qiankun rose to greet him with a gleeful expression. He was delighted that Li Xiaobai had come, indicating that the latter was willing to befriend him.

“For Saint Heir to receive me personally, I’m the one who feels incredibly honored,” Li Xiaobai replied with a smile.

“Please take a seat.”

Zhen Qiankun was a very attentive host, not only finding a seat for Li Xiaobai but also accommodating Ji Wuqing.

Ji Wuqing was quite pleased with this; the feeling of being respected was pleasant. This young Saint Heir was not bad, quite sensible.

“Hehe, this Saint Heir has good insight and didn’t neglect this one.”

“Naturally, if there’s anything you need, please signal the servants to attend to it anytime,” Zhen Qiankun said.

“Much appreciated.”

From the high seats at a distance, Xi Yao looked around with a slight frown and said, “Why hasn’t Xiu’er shown up yet? She loves these kinds of events.”

“Xiu’er is naturally playful; she might have taken this opportunity to sneak out,” Artifact God remarked casually, not surprised by this behavior since it was not the first occurrence.

“I’ll send someone to look for her. Now that everyone is here for the summit, her late arrival would be disrespectful to the other cultivators.”

Xi Yao summoned her maid and went down the mountain to look for Zhong Lingxiu’s whereabouts.

…

At Wendao Peak, Li Xiaobai saw many familiar faces.

Yunkun, the pride of Fire Qilin Cave whom he had met previously in Zhenyuan Country, was surprisingly also in the group. It’s a fateful coincidence to reunite from such a distance, his rivals had just left, and he immediately followed them.

There were also many geniuses he had encountered in the Tianbei Secret Realm, all now seated at the venue.

Upon seeing Li Xiaobai, these prodigies immediately fell silent, no longer speaking. They remembered the unpleasant memories from the secret realm and, if possible, wished never to encounter Li Xiaobai again in their lives.

Yunkun was on the verge of tears, truly not understanding what had happened recently, why he would meet this disaster of a person wherever he went?

Wasn’t he just in Zhenyuan Country of the Northern Region a few days ago? How did he suddenly appear in Central Province and even participate in the martial arts conference?

Moreover, it seemed that the opposition had a pretty good relationship with Zhen Qiankun. He couldn’t understand their connection, the Saint Child seemed to have completely forgotten the humiliation of kneeling in front of Li Xiaobai that day, being arm in arm with him and displaying great affection.

Now he felt as if sitting on pins and needles, having completely lost interest in the martial arts conference. He had made up his mind that once the Saint Child finished speaking, he would immediately leave the place. Based on past experience, getting involved with Li Xiaobai meant trouble.

“Ladies and gentlemen, being able to gather together today honors me greatly, and I am thankful for your attendance. I won’t say much more,— old rules apply. In today’s martial arts conference, there will be two rounds—first, a discussion on culture and then a debate on martial arts. May everyone exchange skills and progress together,” Zhen Qiankun said aloud.

“Excellent!”

“Having such an opportunity to interact with the elite of various groups and to assess our own standards is indeed something we eagerly desire,” the cultivators nodded in agreement. This martial arts conference was held annually, and people in this circle were very familiar with each other.

“Yunkun, you look quite pale, and you’re sweating on your forehead,” a cultivator noticed Yunkun’s abnormality and teased.

“I heard big brother Yunkun got stuffed into a latrine in the Northern Region and it took several waves of people from the Fire Qilin Cave to ransom him back. He must have some psychological trauma,” another chimed in.

“Yeah, after all, the person concerned is sitting right here.”

“But, not to be mean, Yunkun, you are still regarded as a genius in the Transformation Phase, and a cultivator from the Fire Qilin Cave with unlimited potential. How could you be taken down by a mere country bumpkin? Have you been playing around with women lately, neglecting your cultivation?”

“I think so, hahaha…” the cultivators burst into laughter; occasions to tease Yunkun were rare indeed.

Yunkun looked somewhat embarrassed and anxious, stealing glances at Li Xiaobai, he noticed that Li Xiaobai did not seem to care, which also made him breathe a sigh of relief. Others might not be aware of Li Xiaobai’s power, but Yunkun had experienced it deeply.

Not only him, another of the Fire Qilin Cave geniuses who came along was equally silent. It wasn’t due to fear of Li Xiaobai, but rather because his family had strictly instructed him before departure; if he were to encounter Li Xiaobai while outside, he must not make an enemy of him!

It was said that this was a directive from some terrifying existence within the cave, but who exactly it was, remained unknown.

“Shentu Senior Brother, let’s leave first. With Li Xiaobai here, it’s better if we minimize contact,” Yunkun whispered to the young man beside him.

“Brother Yunkun, we are in Central Province. Even if Li Xiaobai has Elder Tianwu behind him, it doesn’t mean we have to fear him. Before leaving, the Great Elder instructed us that as long as no one offends us, we won’t offend anyone. We are here to improve ourselves and exchange information. As for that Li Xiaobai, just ignore him,” Shentu spoke indifferently.