Chapter Thirty: Another Maid Joins

Guo Yue’s expression left everyone utterly stunned, as if their very eyes had shattered to the ground. What on earth was going on? Was Miss Guo truly this formidable? With just a single move, she had defeated Zhao Li, and it was clear he was gravely injured.

On the third level, the head of the Qingshan Sect gave Guo Tian a wry smile. Though anger simmered within him, he dared not show it. “Master Guo, your daughter’s strength is perhaps already on par with my own.”

The other sect masters were equally astonished. This Miss Guo’s power was simply outrageous—such talent! She could easily be compared to those disciples who had already joined the cultivation sects.

Guo Tian glanced at those around him. “My daughter is exceptionally gifted. It was I who arranged this marriage contest for her, but she is determined to enter a cultivation sect. I know such sects are not as simple as they seem, so I do not entirely approve.”

Everyone was speechless. Was this martial arts contest for marriage merely a battle of wills between father and daughter?

On the stage, Shen Yang and Wang Tao felt as though they’d seen a ghost. How could this young Miss Guo—much younger than themselves—be so powerful? How could they possibly fight her now? Going up there would be nothing but humiliation. When Guo Yue’s gaze fell upon them, the two exchanged bitter smiles, both tactfully expressing their admiration before withdrawing from the competition. Better to concede than to be defeated in a single move.

Their withdrawal drew boos from the crowd, leaving their faces flushed with embarrassment. Still, there was nothing they could do; they had lost all face today.

Now, everyone’s attention shifted to Nuo Tian. Of the four contestants, two had conceded and one was still coughing up blood. If Miss Guo were to marry, it would have to be Nuo Tian.

Nuo Tian looked at Guo Yue. “Do you really wish to compete with me?”

Guo Yue frowned slightly. “Please, sir, instruct me.”

Nuo Tian leapt lightly to the second level and strolled to face Guo Yue. “I came here today by chance, but let me be clear: I have no intention of marrying.”

Guo Yue’s brow creased. “And what do you mean by that, sir?”

“If I defeat you, then you shall become my maid,” Nuo Tian said, his tone laced with mischief.

Everyone heard his words clearly, and the arena erupted. Was this man insane, wanting to make Miss Guo his maid?

Zhang Xianba hadn’t expected this mysterious young master to say such a thing. Glancing at Yi Xin beside him, he saw her muttering with pursed lips. Curious, he asked, “Little grandaunt, does the young master truly want to make Miss Guo his maid? Has he lost his mind?”

Yi Xin, clearly irritated, snorted, “Hmph! For Miss Guo to become the young master’s maid is the greatest fortune she could hope for.” She glared at anyone daring to speak ill of the young master. Though she felt a twinge of jealousy over his actions, if he was serious, she would wholeheartedly support him.

Guo Yue herself was taken aback by the mysterious youth’s words. With her beauty and status, how could she be relegated to a mere maid in his eyes? Glancing at the woman by his side, she wondered if his background was truly extraordinary. Still, if he really was a disciple of a cultivation sect, being his maid might not be out of the question—depending on his strength.

Guo Yue knew far more about the cultivation sects than most, thanks to her father, who had once been an outer sect disciple himself. With poor aptitude, he was relegated to the mundane world as a sect leader. Guo Yue understood the rules: many outer sect women became maids or concubines to inner disciples out of necessity. She too longed to join a sect, so if this young man proved strong enough, she would consider his offer.

After a moment’s silence, Guo Yue spoke. “If your strength is enough to convince me, I am willing to become your maid.”

Her words sent another wave of excitement through the crowd. If this young man won, would he truly be able to claim Miss Guo as his maid?

On the third level, the various sect masters turned curious gazes to Guo Tian, who showed no sign of emotion, as if the matter did not concern him. The masters exchanged glances. Did the head of the Guo family truly have no objection to his prodigious daughter becoming someone’s maid?

Of course, Guo Tian’s thoughts were not as they appeared. He was now certain the mysterious youth was a disciple of the sect, already at the Human Hero Stage—an inner disciple. For his daughter to become the maid of such a person was an excellent opportunity. The notion that Nuo Tian was an elite disciple never crossed his mind; elite disciples would hardly waste time playing in the mundane world.

Nuo Tian’s expression remained playful. “Miss, you’d best think carefully. Being my maid is no mere jest. Before long, you may face mortal danger. If you simply wish to live comfortably as a young lady, you could spend your life in peace.”

Guo Yue bristled. “Are you looking down on me?” Then, realizing how eager she seemed to become someone’s maid, she composed herself, staring coldly at him. “Enough talk. Show me your strength. If you lose, that will be far more humiliating for you.” She snorted dismissively.

Nuo Tian shook his head. “Since you insist, I’ll accept you as my maid. But I’ll also show you the gap between us, so you won’t harbor any resentment.” With that, a terrifying aura surged from his body, forcing Guo Yue to involuntarily step back. Even those standing at the front of the audience found themselves struggling to breathe under the pressure. What kind of power was this—a mere presence that made resistance seem impossible?

On the viewing platform, Guo Tian felt this aura clearly. Ignoring the reactions of the others, he was utterly shocked for the first time. This was absolutely the aura of an elite disciple in the Essence Spirit Stage, capable of wielding the world's energy and creating a field of force. For lower-level martial artists, even this aura alone was unbearable. He had never imagined this young man was actually an elite disciple. With the trouble soon to befall the Yunteng Kingdom, if this elite disciple stepped in, the problem could be resolved with ease.

Nuo Tian, having established his force, did not deliberately suppress his opponent, yet Guo Yue could barely move, let alone attack. Was this the peak of the Human Hero Stage? Her father was at that level, but he was clearly no match for this young man.

Satisfied, Nuo Tian withdrew his aura. Guo Yue, suddenly feeling weightless, gasped for breath, overwhelmed by his strength. Her beautiful eyes regarded him with a complex mix of emotions.

Nuo Tian turned to the higher platform. “Master Guo, I am taking your daughter as my maid. You have no objections, I presume?” At this moment, he exuded an aura of pride, not lowering himself before the weak.

Guo Tian met his gaze and stepped forward. “Thank you all for coming today. I have prepared a banquet and hope you will all attend. As for today’s outcome, my daughter has made her own decision; I have no right to interfere. Therefore, I hereby announce that my daughter, Guo Yue, will become this young man’s maid. I only hope that the young master will treat her well.” His words were simple and decisive, and the crowd accepted the result. With such a beautiful young lady as a maid, who knew what the future might hold? If she managed to attach herself to such a powerful man, she would surely not suffer. The only pity was that the martial world would now be deprived of an incomparable beauty.

Led by disciples of the Wandering Dragon Sect, the guests were ushered into Yishan. Passing through several gates, they entered another, somewhat smaller square, where thousands of tables had been set. Maids bustled back and forth, serving wine and dishes, creating a lively scene. This was likely the grandest banquet in the history of the Yunteng martial world, hosting ten thousand guests at once.

Nuo Tian, Qin Yixin, and Zhang Xianba did not follow the crowd but were instead led by the elder presiding over the event into the deeper halls of the Wandering Dragon Sect. After passing through several doors, they arrived at a magnificent grand hall, where more than a dozen people were already seated—sect masters from all the major sects.

Upon Nuo Tian’s arrival, everyone rose to greet him. As leaders of great sects, they all had ties to the world of cultivators, and it was clear to them this young man was likely a disciple of the sect—perhaps not just an inner disciple at that. No one dared be disrespectful.

With one voice, they said, “Greetings, young master,” bowing low.

To Nuo Tian, this was as it should be. Before the strong, to feign superiority would be sheer folly, and clearly, none of these people were.

Nuo Tian merely nodded and was escorted to the seat of honor.

As Nuo Tian sat, Guo Tian appeared, smiling warmly. “Guo Tian greets the young master!”

Nuo Tian returned the courtesy. “No need for such formality.”

At that moment, a subtle, captivating fragrance drifted to Nuo Tian’s nose. He instantly recognized it as the delicate scent unique to beauties. He was familiar with such aromas—his two elder sisters, his senior apprentice sister; even his second senior sister, cold as she was, bore a similar, faint fragrance, though usually suppressed. The young maid by his side had her own unique scent as well; each woman’s was distinct.

From a side door, a peerless beauty emerged, clad in white silk with a finely crafted belt at her waist. It was none other than Miss Guo Yue herself, who had changed into her usual attire after the gathering, her hair casually draped over her shoulders.

Guo Yue stepped gracefully before Nuo Tian and bowed respectfully. “This servant greets the young master!”