Chapter 1160: The Face of a Petty Man

After crossing the Soul-Locking Bridge, the man in green beside Murong Zining stole a quick glance at her and swallowed hard, though he tried to hide it. Forcing a calm tone, he said, "Zining, why come all the way to Heaven's Illusion Island? You've already used the Illusion Heart Queen's Hourglass of Time three times. It won't benefit you anymore."

Murong Zining's expression stayed composed. Her red lips parted slightly as she said, "Every year around this time, Heaven's Illusion Island draws countless geniuses. It's the perfect opportunity to meet newly rising talents. Some of them may prove to be valuable allies in the future when exploring the Sea of Miracles. If any are suitable, we can bring them under Tianhuang City. That would be worthwhile."

The man in green nodded. "That's true. No wonder the City Lord favors you so much. You never forget your duty to strengthen Tianhuang City."

"Enough. Don't waste time with empty words."

Murong Zining frowned slightly and walked straight into the Hall of Heroes.

The man in green looked a bit embarrassed but had no choice except to follow in silence.

...

Meanwhile, Ling Feng and Tuoba Yan had already reached the top floor of the Hall of Heroes.

Many young elites were already gathered there. Most were around thirty years old, and nearly every one of them possessed at least King-tier strength. The sight left Ling Feng impressed.

The Tiansheng Empire truly lived up to its name as the strongest of the Four Great Empires in the Dongling Region. This was only the Tianlan Sea Region, yet so many top-tier geniuses had gathered here. Almost every one of them could match someone like Li Yunting.

Some of the standouts had even reached the third level of the Spiritual Sea Realm or higher!

Ling Feng, by contrast, was only at the early stage of the Spiritual Element Realm. Few in the hall were at his level, and even those were mostly at the sixth level or beyond.

However, Ling Feng was only twenty years old. In ten years, he would surely surpass all these so-called geniuses of the Inner Sea.

Their arrival immediately drew attention. Many turned to look, but after a brief glance at Ling Feng, their eyes quickly fixed on Tuoba Yan. With her graceful bearing and striking beauty, she captured every gaze.

Even so, most of those men were careful to hide their desire behind polite smiles. They wore the faces of hypocritical gentlemen, pretending refinement while their eyes betrayed them.

Before long, hurried footsteps echoed from the stairway. The crowd turned, their expressions brightening into flattery.

"Master Jian Chen!"

"You're finally here, Young Master Jian!"

"

Haha,

Brother Jian Chen, it's been a year since we last met!"

...

It seemed that nearly every genius from the Inner Sea knew this man. They stepped forward eagerly, full of smiles and respect.

The man was Young Master Jian Chen, the twin-sword youth who had previously passed the Soul-Locking Bridge in fifteen breaths. As the Inner Sea geniuses came forward to salute him, he returned their gestures politely, though a trace of pride glinted in his eyes.

However, when he noticed Ling Feng sitting calmly and paying him no attention, a flicker of displeasure crossed his face. The feeling worsened when he saw the stunning Tuoba Yan standing beside him.

He prided himself on having met countless women, yet he had never seen one as beautiful as Tuoba Yan!

And now, this unknown boy stood at her side?

Jian Chen gave a cold snort, a mocking smile tugging at his lips. "Well, what's this? That kid is only at the early stage of the Spiritual Element Realm, yet he somehow passed the Soul-Locking Bridge and entered the Hall of Heroes? Don't tell me he swam across?

Hahaha!

"

As Jian Chen laughed, the surrounding Inner Sea geniuses burst out laughing as well.

"Jian Chen, you underestimate him. Maybe he's hiding his strength."

"

Oh?

A third-level Spiritual Element Realm cultivator hiding his strength? Brother Chen, are you joking with me?"

"

Ah,

you caught me. You're just too sharp, Young Master Jian Chen!"

"

Hahaha!

"

Laughter filled the room.

Jian Chen then strode toward Tuoba Yan, forcing a charming smile. "Miss, I am Jian Chen, eldest grandson of the Second Elder of Heaven's Illusion Island. With your beauty, you shouldn't waste your time with someone like that. A man of his level only tarnishes the name of the Hall of Heroes."

As soon as he spoke, others quickly echoed him.

A man in yellow grinned. "He's right. These days, anyone can sneak in through the back door. Two years ago, you needed at least seventh-level Spiritual Element Realm strength just to qualify for a ticket. Now look at it. Any random stray dog can get in."

"Exactly!" A fat man with a greasy face snorted. "If I'd known the Hall of Heroes would stoop this low, I wouldn't have bothered coming!"

"Agreed. Weaklings like that just drag down the reputation of Inner Sea geniuses!"

Another man added mockingly, "Oh, don't say that. Maybe he didn't walk across the Soul-Locking Bridge at all. Perhaps he curled himself up and rolled across instead!"

"

Hahaha!

Now that's a good one!"

These so-called Inner Sea geniuses roared with laughter, all scrambling to curry favor with Jian Chen. But Ling Feng remained unmoved. His lips curved slightly, as if he were watching a comedy performance.

Compared to the insults he had endured before, these clowns were hardly worth his notice. Their petty mockery did not even scratch the surface of his patience.

Jian Chen actually raised a hand, signaling the others to be quiet, and laughed heartily. "Actually, gentlemen, there's no need to go so far. Just give me, Jian Chen, some face. This is the Hall of Heroes, a place of dignity. Let this young friend stay for a while to see how the world works!"

𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

"Young Master Jian Chen is truly kind-hearted!"

"Boy, you'd better thank him. Otherwise, I'd have kicked you out already!"

"Yeah, these youngsters today don't even know how to show gratitude!"

Their jeers eventually faded when Ling Feng continued to ignore them. Losing interest, they decided he was simply a coward and not worth the effort.

Jian Chen, however, sneered and raised a thumb toward Ling Feng, then slowly turned it downward, the challenge in his gesture clear.

Ling Feng leaned casually against a pillar, his expression calm, as if watching a group of monkeys perform tricks.

Tuoba Yan's face flushed with anger. Her chest rose and fell as fury burned within her. Seeing Ling Feng mocked like this, she wanted nothing more than to strike Jian Chen on the spot.

"Ling Feng, when did you become so timid? You're even holding me back. You... you're making me furious!"

Tuoba Yan was so angry she almost coughed up blood. This calm, detached attitude was nothing like the Ling Feng she knew.

"

Hey,

they're insulting me, not you. Why are you getting angry?" Ling Feng grinned. "Don't you think their little act looks like a monkey show? I find it rather entertaining."

"But..." Tuoba Yan bit her lip, her voice trembling with frustration. "You could clearly..."

"Why waste words on them? The real figures haven't even appeared yet. If we're going to slap someone's face, we should wait until it counts."

Ling Feng lifted a cup of tea and handed it to her with a smile. "Here, Yan'er. Have some tea and calm down. I'm not angry, so why should you be?"

Tuoba Yan glared at him fiercely. "

Hmph!

I'm not angry! Not even a little!"

Ling Feng only chuckled and shook his head. Tuoba Yan was still the same as always, adorable in her stubbornness!